What's Happening in Employability

Bridges to Life

January 2023

Jose, who just completed the Bridges to Life program for students who are blind, is terrific! Watch to the end for his great news about a University program.

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Winter Dance

December 2022

Bridges to Life students attended a Winter Dance at Skills Academy on Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The dance was hosted by the Pikes Peak Interagency Transition Team (PPITT), a group of Transition coordinators in the area. https://csdb.colorado.gov/ppitt-dance

Left, two friends stand together-one wears a Santa hat; right, three students eat pizza while sitting

What in the World is a Capstone Project?

October 2022

The Colorado Department of Education website says, "A Capstone Project is a multifaceted body of work that is district determined and serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students." That's important!

Check out the newest CSDB video showing Capstone Projects at CSDB.

 

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[This video uses ASL, Captions, Spoken English and Audio Description. Text "Capstone Projects at CSDB; Photo: male student outside smiling; Graphic: CSDB logo]

Colorado Springs Habitat for Humanity ReStore

September 2022

Students in the CSDB Employability Center Post School Preparation and Bridges to Life transition classes participate in various off-campus community service experiences to prepare them for future success as productive citizens in their independent lives.

Recently, the volunteer coordinator from the Colorado Springs Habitat for Humanity ReStore explained about the mission of Habitat for Humanity. Both Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind Visually Impaired students were able to participate in the presentation with the support of an ASL interpreter and an audio describer. Students will have the opportunity to participate in community service in the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Their tasks may include stocking merchandise, doing inventory, and other retail tasks.

A woman from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore presenting to Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind Visually Impaired students seated in an Employability Center classroom

Warehouse Work at Care and Share

September 2022

Bridges to Life students, in the Employability Center, have been learning what it takes to work in a warehouse, like Care and Share food bank. We want to extend a huge thanks to the Care and Share staff for providing food distribution in their center, as well as volunteer opportunities for CSDB students.

CSDB students were part of the Sort and Pack Food process. According to the Care and Share staff, in one morning, students sorted enough food to feed 100 families in our community. When asked at the end of their shift what was their highlight, one student said, “I am thankful to sort good food to 100 families.”

Bridges to Life 1st Day of School

August 2022

The CSDB Bridges to Life program welcomed students from across the State of Colorado for the first day of school! On the roster for the new school year are 25 students excited to continue to learn about the world of work, post-secondary educational options, and independent living skills. Returning BtL students were excited to meet new students into the program from our CSDB high school and other Colorado high schools. It was a great first day!

Group of BtL students standing outside of building

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year!

August 2022

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Employability and Transition Services

August 2022

Check out this tour video, led by our students, about the Employability and Transition Services. Great program, pass it on!!

Celebrate BtL!

June 2022

A look back! Just a few short weeks ago, our Bridges to Life students and staff celebrated numerous successes by playing together: bowling, arcade, restaurant and more!

top left, students and staff pose for a group photo; top right, three male students sit at a restaurant table; lower left, one student plays a skeeball game; lower right, two teachers sit on an outdoor bench and smile for the photo

CSDB Bulldog 5K

June 2022

Last week's 5K at CSDB was a fun event for students, families and staff!

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top left, BtL students, staff and Care and Share staff display the award; top right three staff members smile while holding the award; bottom left, two male student proudly hold the award; bottom right, The award is a green plate with the gold and green Care and Share logo and the text: 2022 Community Champion, Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, Thank you for sharing in our belief that no one should go hungry

Congratulations to the BtL Staff and Students!

June 2022

Congratulations to the Bridges to Life staff and students, as Care and Share honored their work with an award! CSDB received the 2022 Community Champion award from Care and Share. This award is displayed in the Administration Building lobby.

top left two men stand in a warehouse; top right, man works a forklift; lower left, supervisor gives carpentry direction to student; lower right, supervisor watches a student during weed-eating.

Thanks UCCS!

May 2022

Kudos to University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) for working with our students! UCCS

Ethan, a Senior in high school, is in the work study program. He's working in the warehouse, learning to drive a forklift and more. Ethan's supervisor is a CSDB Alum!

Angel, in the Bridges to Life program, works at UCCS in carpentry. His supervisor Sammy Wilding, is the father of our CSDB Athletics Director, Max. Small world!

Nikko, also in the BtL program has a job in the UCCS grounds department, and his supervisor is also a CSDB alum!

We are so appreciative of UCCS for helping our students learn skills that will benefit their future careers!

ReStore

March 2022

Sensational! One of our students, in the Bridges to Life program, found a love that might become his career path! Thanks to the ReStore staff, this student, who is deaf, has learned how to fix items that have electronic issues, and now he knows becoming an electrician is possible for him. Thank you, thank you to the staff from the ReStore, who teach and care for our students!

CSDB has partnered with the ReStore, a Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity program, for many years. This agency sells donated and refurbished goods, then gives the profits toward building homes for qualified families. In 2019, the net proceeds from the ReStore helped fund six Habitat homes! Check them out at 411 S. Wahsatch or at 6250 Tutt Boulevard in Colorado Springs.

Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Student working on a ceiling fan

wo students scoop cookie dough in the Crumbl Cookies kitchen while a supervisor oversees; lower, two students manipulate cookie dough assisted by a supervisor.]

Crumbl Cookies

March 2022

Huge shout out to Crumbl Cookies for accepting two CSDB Bridges to Life students into their employee pool! This quickly-expanding company not only delivers perfect cookies in a pink box, but they also remember their community and have supported our students' employment goals. KUDOS!!! You can find Crumbl Cookies at 5102 N Nevada Ave, in Colorado Springs.

right side, four adult headshots; left side, powerpoint slide

Pikes Peak Workforce Center

March 2022

Students, in the high school transition classes, participated in a virtual presentation from the Pikes Peak Workforce Center. During this presentation, the presenters from the Pikes Peak Workforce Center discussed what services they provide, workshops that will be offered in the coming months and how the students can receive services. https://csdb.colorado.gov/pikes-peak-workforce-center...

CSDB Academic Bowl

March 2022

CSDB Academic Bowl team is currently competing in the Gallaudet’s Youth Program’s Central Regional.

Coach Max says, "We kicked off the series with our first match yesterday and we look forward to more matches the rest of the week. Go Bulldogs!"

Check out Gallaudet’s Youth Program Facebook and website for more information https://www.gallaudet.edu/youth-programs/academic-bowl

left to right: Gideon (12th grade), Mariah (11th grade), Ethan (12th grade), Marie (12th grade) and in front, coaches, Max and Amy.  The group is wearing matching red bulldogs shirts, smiling at the camera with mountains in the background

Bark Market

February 2022

Cheyenne Argys, a first year Bridges to Life student, demonstrated a lot of growth during this semester. Her last achievement was saving 260 PRIDE bones, a student recognition program, to purchase a lounge chair.

“I saved for 7 months, working at the Bark Market as a cashier, and I banked a little every week. I earned bones when I helped friends in different activities, and I show respect by wearing my mask. I showed positive attitude when times got rough and altogether, that is how I got 260 pride bones. I cannot wait to buy my chair at the Bark Market.”

Cheyenne, holding a white cane, sits under a Bulldog PRIDE banner

Student filling a basket with pantry goods

Post-Secondary Program (PSP)

February 2022

One student, in the Post-secondary Preparation (PSP) program has a career goal to work in a warehouse. He currently participates in a work study experience, at the Marian House Food Pantry warehouse, that allows him to learn skills directly related to his career goal. https://csdb.colorado.gov/post-secondary-preparation-program